MANALAPAN, NJ – October 9, 2015 – On a sunny, fall day, Southwind Hope was the clear-cut winner of the $40,000 Marion Dancer for harness racing two-year-old trotting fillies on Friday, October 9, 2015 at Freehold Raceway.
A week ago, the Muscle Hill -Honey Pie filly broke stride at the start of the New Jersey Sire Stakes – Green Acres Final on a sloppy track and finished last.
Southwind Hope, driven by Steve Smith and trained by Julie Miller, trotted the mile in 2:01.2 on a fast track, finishing a length and a half ahead of Casino Cutie It [Muscles Yankee]. It was 16 lengths to Heal The World [Muscle Hill] in third.
Southwind Hope improved her record to three wins, one second and two thirds from nine starts and lifted her earnings to $35,600 for the partnership of the Andy Miller Stable of Millstone Township, NJ; Little E LLC of New York, NY, and Lawrence Dumain of Pine Bush, NY. She was bred by Southwind Farms of Pennington, NJ.
Sonny Dancer, celebrating his 80th birthday, presented the trophy.
The Marion Dancer is sponsored by the Standardbred Breeder & Owners Association of New Jersey.
Marion Millionair [Muscle Hill], with Jim Marohn Jr. driving, scored a three-length victory over Blue Muse [Muscles Yankee] in the $25,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes – Green Acres Final for three-year-old trotting fillies.
Demons N Diamonds [Muscle Hill] was 19 lengths back in third.
Marion Millionair, trained by William Popfinger, is owned and bred by William Mulligan of New Hope, PA. She now has seven wins, six second and four thirds in 22 starts this year for earnings of $93,560 toward a career bankroll of $97,460.
Both stakes were non-wagering and prior to the card.
By Carol Hodes for the SBOANJ